The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1351690
B-2 Wednesday, March 17, 2021 The Press-Dispatch By Andy Heuring A debris fire last Wednes- day morning was seen by a neighbor and extinguished just in time. "We really don't know what started the fire," said Petersburg Fire Chief Ross Elmore. He said there were some tree debris, a ve- hicle tire on a rim and some magnesium filings that were burning in an area behind the building. The fire had start- ed burning up the side of the building, which previously had been a holding cell when the Pike County Sheriff's De- partment was located in that building in the early 1990s. "We had to pull some of the metal siding off the exterior to get to some of the fire," said Elmore. He said a neighbor noticed the fire and called. He said the owner, Spencer Walker, was in the building and noticed when he tried to turn on the lights in part of the building he had to reset the breaker, but hadn't noticed the fire. "I think when the tire caught fire, it started putting off black smoke, then it got no- ticed," said Elmore. He said firemen were able to pretty quickly extinguish most of the fire, but they had to use a foam extinguisher on the magnesium filings. "Water just makes it go worse," said Elmore. He said because they can't figure out how it got started, they called in an investigator. Jefferson Township was called for assistance, but El- more said they were able to extinguish it quickly enough they disregarded them before they arrived. It was reported to 911 at about 8:40 a.m. Fire extinguished quickly before spreading at Walker Motors A Petersburg fireman gets to a fire just in time to prevent it from spreading throughout the Walker Motors Building on Main St., Petersburg just before 9 a.m. Wednesday morning. Two arrested for battery By James Capozella A 911 call to central dis- patch this past Friday after- noon from 5430 N. Freder- ick Ln., Petersburg, resulted in the arrest of Michael Gray, 42, and Sarah Johns, 35, of Winslow, for domestic battery in the presence of a child un- der the age of sixteen. Gray was also charged with crim- inal confinement, according to Pike County Deputy Jared Simmons' report. Dispatch was advised by Sarah Johns that Mike Gray, her baby's father, had beat her head on her vehicle multiple times and took her keys from her. Simmons, along with Pe- tersburg Police Chief Chuck Baumgart, responded to the domestic call and observed a swollen eye and abrasions on Johns' face. Gray told Deputy Simmons that the two were arguing about watching the son and after Gray jumped in- to Johns' vehicle, she started hitting a window because he had taken the keys. Simmons spoke with Johns while Baumgart assisted with Gray. Johns also had swollen knuckles and Gray had a swol- len and bloodshot eye, with bruising, according to the re- port. Gray was taken into cus- tody and transported, as was Johns, following placement of the 23-month-old by Child Protection Services. Evansville man charged with two counts following a crash A 911 call about a Jeep in a ditch at CR 750 E., on SR 356 in Otwell, resulted in Michael Crow, 39, of 2021 Old Hwy 41, North Room 117, Evansville, being arrested for possession of a syringe and driving while suspended (prior). Pike Coun- ty Deputy Jared Simmons was dispatched to the Thursday 911 call and found Crow stand- ing next to a Jeep in a ditch in front of Ripco. Deputy Simmons observed Crow exhibiting extreme fidgeting, rapid muttered speech, rapid and jerky hand and arm movements, and dif- ficulty standing in one spot. When asked for a license, Crow produced a Kentucky identification card, which through dispatch revealed Crow was suspended through Kentucky and suspended pri- or through Indiana. Crow told deputy Simmons that he had used metham- phetamine a couple days ago and that he used it by smok- ing, snorting or injecting. The Jeep that belonged to his girl- friend was towed and Crow was booked into the Pike County Jail on possession of a syringe and driving while suspended. uary 15. Vaccine numbers in Pike County are still on the rise, as a total of 3,515 were vacci- nated as of Monday morning, March 15. That number like- ly went up by about 100 as the vaccine clinic was open Tues- day and they typically do about 100 a day. Indiana announced on Tues- day they lowered the age to be eligible for a vaccine to 45 and older. To register, visit www. ourshot.in.gov, or call Peters- burg Library (812-354-6257) or the Help Line at 211. Others eligible are child- care workers and those who work in education from pre- school to grade 12. Individ- uals with specific high-risk health conditions can also be eligible. Those younger than 45 who are employed in an ed- ucational setting should bring an employee ID or badge, a statement from an adminis- trator on school letterhead or recent payroll notification. Individuals younger than 45 and at high risk for complica- tions of COVID-19 should con- tact their healthcare provider to request that their personal information be entered in the state portal. The eligibility list can be found at: https://www.coro- navirus.in.gov/.../Eligibili- ty%201.5.21.pdf. 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COACH EYEWEAR Street and White River Ave. Klipsch said Locust St. al- ready has a ban on commer- cial traffic. The new ordinance adds Seventh and White Riv- er Avenue to the streets where "commercial through traffic" is prohibited. A second ordinance bans parking on both sides of Sev- enth St. It states: "The portion of Seventh St., between Main St. and Highway 61, has some especially tight and danger- ous areas where vehicles may meet, and street side parking during Seventh Street's use as a detour route should be pro- hibited for safety and traffic flow." It continues "There shall hereafter be no street side parking on Seventh St. be- tween Main St. and Highway 61 until further action is tak- en by the City. . . those who violate this ordinance may be fined up to $100 per day." "I think you have to ban parking on both sides of the street," said Councilman Bri- an VanMeter. He said he had talked to several parents along Seventh St. who were con- cerned about their children playing in the area and the in- creased traffic. "I think the simplest thing is going to be banning park- ing on both sides. . . If you sit and watch the traffic, it is go- ing to be a nightmare," said Klipsch. He added the most inconvenient time is going to be on Phase I. The Phase 2 portion of the project runs from Abigail St. to Harvest Ln. During that time, White River Ave. will be the detour. Klipsch said he has already heard concerns from Meadow- brook residents about com- mercial truck traffic. LITTLE LEAGUE PARADE APPROVED WITH NO CANDY THROWING Councilmen also agreed to approve a Little League pa- rade scheduled for Saturday, April 24. However, they said that is with the stipulation no candy is to be thrown by the parade participants. Petersburg Police Chief Chuck Baumgart said he was contacted by the league to see if they could have the parade. Councilmen agreed the pa- rade was okay, but expressed concerns about participants throwing candy out to people gathered along the parade. In other business, the Board of Public Works approved the applications of four new fire- men. Petersburg Fire Chief Ross Elmore said they had four new applicants who had been recommended by the Pe- tersburg-Washington Town- ship Fire Territory Board for membership. They are: Mark Schlec- ty, Randy Kendall, Charles Stanker and Nick Charkosky. Elmore said Schlecty al- ready has an EMR certifica- tion to be able to help with emergency runs. "He is inter- ested in medical runs. That is good because 65 percent of our runs are for medical as- sists." Elmore said Kendall and Stanker both were certified Level 2 firemen and had EMR certification. "So they can hit the ground running," said El- more. He said Charkosky is new and will need training. "I'm sure the territory fire board did its research on their recommendations. It sounds like you are getting some pretty good help," said coun- cilman and Board of Works member John Melhiser. The board voted 3-0 to ap- prove the new firemen. Police Chief Chuck Baumgart said his department applied for a grant to get new Roadside Breath Tests, which take blood alcohol readings. He said the current ones are 15 years old. Baumgart said he was re- cently notified the Pike Coun- ty Committee to End Drug Abuse was going to give them a grant. He said he wasn't sure on the amount, but it would cover most of the cost for the new RBTs. A sidewalk project near Gary Horrall's residence on Seventh St. and Hodges was approved. Mayor Klipsch said the city budgeted $5,000 for sidewalk projects this year. He said the city splits the cost of new side- walks with homeowners 50 - 50. "It is on a first-come, first- served basis and Horrall was the first person to apply for it." Horrall had two bids for the project to replace 138 feet of sidewalk. They were $4,947 and $5,517.71. It was approved by a 5 -0 vote. The next Petersburg Coun- cil meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 5. Two arrested on drug charges A traffic stop on Lakeview Drive this past Sunday after- noon by Petersburg City Of- ficer Scott Arnold resulted in charges of dealing in marijua- na and possession for Dome- tery Riker, 20, of Washington, and possession of marijuana and driving while suspended for Caleb Wittmer, 26, of El- nora. Officer Arnold noticed a car, with two occupants and two small dogs, swerving from the left and right side of the road on Lakeview Drive. A fter Officer Arnold stopped the vehicle, the driver was very nervous, looking frantic- ly for his driver's license while Arnold spoke to Wittmer, ac- cording to the police report. One of two juveniles was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia. Deputy Buck Seger transported Dometery to the Pike County Jail and Arnold interviewed Dome- tery at the jail. Parents were called for the juveniles. The two dogs were taken to PAWS by Deputy Mike Willis. FED FUNDS Continued from page 1 and economic recovery. • Investments in water, sewer and broadband infra- structure. The bill contains two re- strictions on eligible uses: • Funds cannot be used to directly or indirectly offset tax reductions or delay a tax/ tax increase. • Funds can not be deposit- ed into any pension fund. Commissioner president Mark Flint said, "As I under- stand it, the executive board (commissioners) will be over- seeing this money, but we will not be in a vacuum." Flint said on Tuesday, he had just learned of it on Mon- day and had talked with coun- ty council president Jon Craig about it. "The more eyes we have on this, the better," said Flint. He added, "I'm happy to get it, but we need to spend it wisely." He said county auditor Ju- dy Gumbel is working to clar- ify the details, which haven't been released yet. Winslow Town Council member Debra Lamb said she was excited to hear about it. "Wonderful, it will really help us take care of some infra- structure. It will help us take care of our water meters." She also said she was glad they had through 2024 to spend it, so they could plan and take some time to determine the best way to spend it.